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Eligibility requirements for employment in the AAT

There are a number of pre-engagement checks that we are required to undertake prior to engaging an individual as an AAT employee. In the event that the requirements of one or more of the pre-engagement checks are not met, the conditional offer of engagement may be cancelled.

 

Mandatory requirements

To be eligible for AAT employment you must:

• undergo a security and character check

• not have received a redundancy benefit from an APS or Commonwealth employer within the last 12 months

• be an Australian citizen, and

• undergo a medical examination (ongoing engagements only).

 

1. Security and character check

The AAT must be satisfied that an applicant for employment is of good character. The process used to verify this is a character clearance check, conducted by the Australian Federal Police (CrimTrac). The clearance involves checking police records for unspent criminal convictions and verifying employment history and employment references. In the event that the AAT receives an adverse character check, you may be assessed as unsuitable for employment, which will result in this offer being withdrawn.

If your work requires you to have access to classified material, you may need to undergo a formal security assessment. If a clearance is not granted your employment in the position cannot be continued.

2. Employment of persons who have taken voluntary redundancy

Other than in exceptional circumstances (see below), a person who has received a redundancy benefit from an Australian Public Service (APS) Agency or non-APS Commonwealth employer within the last twelve months may apply for positions, but can not be engaged by the AAT, until a period of twelve months has passed.

Exceptional circumstances are where the Agency Head considers that the engagement of the person is essential for the agency’s operations, having regard to the duties to be performed and the skills, experience or qualifications of the person. The Agency Head is required to obtain the approval of the Public Service Commissioner prior to engaging a redundancy recipient as an ongoing employee. Similar arrangements apply for non-ongoing employment.

3. Citizenship

To be eligible for employment with the AAT in either an ongoing or non-ongoing capacity, an applicant must be an Australian citizen. In exceptional circumstances, this requirement may be waived by the Agency Head but you must hold and continue to hold the necessary visa and work permits appropriate to the employment.

4. Health

Successful applicants for ongoing employment within the AAT will be required to undergo a medical examination (organised by the AAT) to ensure their fitness to undertake the duties for which they have been selected.

 

Probation

New employees are required to complete a minimum six month probationary period. During this time your conduct and work performance is assessed to determine whether they meet the standards required by the Tribunal of its employees. Employees whose performance and/or behaviour do not reach the required standard during their probationary period will have their employment terminated.

 

Terms and conditions of employment

Employees of the AAT are employed under the Public Service Act 1999. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal Agency Agreement 2011-2014 governs terms and conditions for employment.

As an employee of the Australian Public Service, you are subject to the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values.